[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:12.77,0:00:15.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Host: Please welcome\Nto the TEDxSonomaCounty stage,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:15.40,0:00:16.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Todd Rose.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:16.76,0:00:19.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:24.16,0:00:27.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Todd Rose: It's 1952,\Nand the Air Force has a problem.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:28.75,0:00:32.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They've got good pilots\Nflying better planes,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:33.06,0:00:35.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they're getting worse results.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:35.14,0:00:37.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And they don't know why.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:37.47,0:00:40.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For a while, they blamed the pilots.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:40.98,0:00:43.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They even blamed the technology.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:43.50,0:00:46.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They eventually got around\Nto blaming the flight instructors.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:47.15,0:00:50.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it turned out that the problem\Nwas actually with the cockpit.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:51.16,0:00:52.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let me explain.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:53.64,0:00:55.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Imagine you're a fighter pilot.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:56.97,0:00:58.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You're operating a machine
Dialogue: 0,0:00:58.98,0:01:02.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that in some cases can travel faster\Nthan the speed of sound,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.27,0:01:08.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and where issues\Nbetween success and failure,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:08.21,0:01:10.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sometimes life and death,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:10.07,0:01:12.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can be measured in split seconds.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.27,0:01:15.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you're a fighter pilot,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:15.69,0:01:18.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you know that your performance
Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.47,0:01:23.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,depends fundamentally\Non the fit between you and your cockpit.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:24.63,0:01:28.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because after all, what good\Nis the best technology in the world,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:28.75,0:01:30.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if you can't reach\Nthe critical instruments
Dialogue: 0,0:01:30.76,0:01:32.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when you need them the most?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:33.42,0:01:36.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But this presents a challenge\Nfor the Air Force.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:36.98,0:01:39.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because obviously,\Npilots are not the same size.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:42.49,0:01:43.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, the issue is:
Dialogue: 0,0:01:43.96,0:01:49.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how do you design one cockpit\Nthat can fit the most individuals?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:51.52,0:01:52.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For a long time,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.95,0:01:58.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it was assumed that you could do this\Nby designing for the average pilot.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:59.64,0:02:01.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That almost seems intuitively right.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:01.81,0:02:06.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you design something\Nthat's fit for the average sized person,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:07.07,0:02:09.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,wouldn't it fit most people?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:10.09,0:02:13.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It seems right but it's actually wrong.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:13.51,0:02:15.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And 60 years ago,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:15.11,0:02:18.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,an Air Force researcher, Gilbert Daniels,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:18.09,0:02:21.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,proved to the world\Njust how wrong this really is,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:21.08,0:02:22.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and what it was costing us.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:23.84,0:02:25.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Here's how he did it.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.53,0:02:30.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He studied over 4,000 pilots
Dialogue: 0,0:02:31.33,0:02:34.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and he measured them\Non ten dimensions of size,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:35.33,0:02:37.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and he asked a very simple question:
Dialogue: 0,0:02:38.75,0:02:42.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how many of these pilots\Nare average on all ten dimensions?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.54,0:02:44.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:44.99,0:02:48.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The assumption was\Nthat most of them would be.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.76,0:02:51.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Do you know how many really were?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:52.92,0:02:54.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Zero.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:55.02,0:02:56.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Gilbert Daniels proved
Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.43,0:02:59.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there was no such thing\Nas an average pilot.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:01.81,0:03:04.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Instead, what he found
Dialogue: 0,0:03:04.90,0:03:11.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was that every single pilot\Nhad what we call a jagged size profile.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:12.23,0:03:13.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Right?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.97,0:03:17.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It means no one is the same\Non every dimension.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:18.29,0:03:19.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And this makes sense.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:19.52,0:03:22.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Just because you're the tallest person
Dialogue: 0,0:03:22.39,0:03:24.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,doesn't mean you're the heaviest,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:24.24,0:03:26.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,doesn't mean you have\Nthe broadest shoulders,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:26.33,0:03:27.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or the longest torso.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:28.65,0:03:33.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But this is tricky because if every pilot\Nhas a jagged size profile
Dialogue: 0,0:03:33.74,0:03:36.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you design a cockpit on average,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:37.11,0:03:39.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you've literally designed it for nobody.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:41.24,0:03:44.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, the Air Force\Nrealized they had a problem.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:45.56,0:03:47.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And their response was bold.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:49.29,0:03:51.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They banned the average.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:51.77,0:03:53.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:03:53.25,0:03:54.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Meaning that moving forward,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:54.88,0:03:57.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they refused to buy fighter jets
Dialogue: 0,0:03:57.97,0:04:01.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where the cockpit was designed\Nfor an average sized pilot.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:02.92,0:04:07.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And instead, they demanded\Nthat the companies who built these planes
Dialogue: 0,0:04:08.07,0:04:11.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,designed them to the edges\Nof dimensions of size.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:12.09,0:04:15.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Meaning that rather than design\Nfor, say, the average height,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:15.71,0:04:17.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they wanted a cockpit\Nthat could accommodate
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.95,0:04:21.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as close to the shortest pilot\Nand the tallest pilot
Dialogue: 0,0:04:21.20,0:04:23.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as the technology would allow.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.88,0:04:27.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, the companies that made these planes,\Nas you could imagine,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.62,0:04:29.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,weren't happy, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:30.16,0:04:32.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They argued, and lobbied, and they said,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:32.88,0:04:37.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's going to be impossible\Nor at least impossibly expensive
Dialogue: 0,0:04:37.50,0:04:39.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to build a flexible cockpit.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:40.24,0:04:44.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But once they realized\Nthat the Air Force wasn't going to budge,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:44.83,0:04:46.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,suddenly, it was possible.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:47.19,0:04:49.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it turned out\Nit wasn't that expensive.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:50.02,0:04:52.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And in fact, they made great strides
Dialogue: 0,0:04:53.66,0:04:55.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,leveraging simple solutions
Dialogue: 0,0:04:55.71,0:04:58.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we all take for granted\Nin our everyday life,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:58.55,0:05:00.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like adjustable seats.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:01.51,0:05:03.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And as a result,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:03.39,0:05:05.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the Air Force not only
Dialogue: 0,0:05:05.07,0:05:08.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,improved the performance\Nof the pilots that they already had,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:09.19,0:05:12.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they dramatically\Nexpanded their talent pool.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:13.02,0:05:17.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And today, we have the most diverse\Npool of fighter pilots ever.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:17.84,0:05:19.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But here's the thing,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.23,0:05:24.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,many of our top pilots would have never\Nfit in a cockpit designed on average.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:26.21,0:05:29.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, most of us have never sat
Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.41,0:05:33.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the cockpit of a $150 million\Nfighter jet, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:34.51,0:05:36.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But we've all sat in the classroom.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:38.29,0:05:40.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I would argue
Dialogue: 0,0:05:40.01,0:05:41.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laghter)
Dialogue: 0,0:05:41.94,0:05:45.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:05:46.08,0:05:50.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I would argue that these are\Nthe cockpits of our economy,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:51.39,0:05:55.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I think we all know\Nthat we have some problems.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:56.29,0:05:58.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We're spending more money\Nthan ever before,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.13,0:06:02.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but we're getting worse results.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:02.90,0:06:06.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Whether we're talking about\Ndeclining test scores in math and science
Dialogue: 0,0:06:07.51,0:06:09.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or our dropout crisis.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:10.95,0:06:12.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You probably know,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:12.74,0:06:16.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we have over 1.2 million dropouts
Dialogue: 0,0:06:16.17,0:06:18.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,every single year\Nin high school in this country.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.49,0:06:21.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What you may not know
Dialogue: 0,0:06:22.88,0:06:27.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is that at least 4% of those dropouts\Nare known to be intellectually gifted.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:29.24,0:06:34.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That means we're losing over 50,000\Nof our brightest minds every single year.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:36.71,0:06:38.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, we know we have a problem.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:40.36,0:06:41.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But do we know why?
Dialogue: 0,0:06:43.74,0:06:46.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So far, we've been content\Nto blame the students.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:47.81,0:06:49.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We blame the teachers.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:50.06,0:06:51.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We even blame the parents.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:53.09,0:06:54.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But here's the thing ...
Dialogue: 0,0:06:54.63,0:06:57.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think back to the Air Force example,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:58.24,0:07:00.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I can't help but wonder:
Dialogue: 0,0:07:00.01,0:07:03.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how much of this problem\Nis just bad design?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:05.68,0:07:06.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Here's what I mean.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:07.47,0:07:11.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Even though we have\None of the most diverse countries
Dialogue: 0,0:07:11.79,0:07:13.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the history of the world,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:13.77,0:07:16.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and even though it's the 21st century,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:16.84,0:07:18.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we still design our learning environments,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:18.99,0:07:22.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like textbooks, for the average student.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:23.22,0:07:24.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No kidding.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:24.59,0:07:26.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We call it age-appropriate.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:26.46,0:07:28.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we think it's good enough.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:28.79,0:07:30.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But of course, it's not.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:30.81,0:07:32.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I mean, think about it.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:32.34,0:07:35.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What does it even mean\Nto design for an average student?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:36.58,0:07:39.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because a student is not one-dimensional,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:39.68,0:07:41.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like struggling to gifted.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:41.74,0:07:44.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Students vary on many\Ndimensions of learning,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:45.38,0:07:47.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just like they vary on dimensions of size.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:48.50,0:07:50.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Here are a few obvious ones.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:51.63,0:07:53.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And just like size,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:54.89,0:07:57.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,each student, every single one of them,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:57.90,0:07:59.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has a jagged learning profile.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.45,0:08:03.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Meaning, they have strengths,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:03.63,0:08:05.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they're average at some things,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:05.72,0:08:07.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they have weaknesses.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:07.62,0:08:08.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We all do.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:09.17,0:08:11.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Even geniuses have weaknesses.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:12.49,0:08:13.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But ...
Dialogue: 0,0:08:14.46,0:08:17.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if the fighter pilot example\Nhas taught us anything,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:17.89,0:08:18.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's this.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:19.68,0:08:22.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you design those\Nlearning environments on average,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:23.35,0:08:26.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,odds are you've designed them for nobody.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:28.50,0:08:30.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, no wonder we have a problem.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:31.82,0:08:36.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We've created learning environments\Nthat because they are designed on average,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:36.02,0:08:39.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,cannot possibly do\Nwhat we expected them to do,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:39.88,0:08:42.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is to nurture individual potential.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:43.80,0:08:46.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But think about\Nwhat that could really costs us.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:47.58,0:08:50.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because every single student\Nhas a jagged learning profile,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:52.11,0:08:55.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it means that the average hurts everyone,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:55.47,0:08:57.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even our best and brightest.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:58.57,0:08:59.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Even for them,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:00.90,0:09:05.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,designing on average\Ndestroys talent in at least two ways.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:06.91,0:09:10.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,First, it makes your talent a liability.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:11.26,0:09:13.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We all know kids like this.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:13.65,0:09:16.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So unbelievably gifted in one area
Dialogue: 0,0:09:18.60,0:09:21.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that their educational environment\Ncan't challenge them.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:23.19,0:09:24.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We also know what happens.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:25.56,0:09:30.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They get bored, and a shockingly\Nhigh number of them drop out.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:31.97,0:09:33.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The second way
Dialogue: 0,0:09:33.54,0:09:36.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that designing on average destroys talent
Dialogue: 0,0:09:37.19,0:09:40.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is that it means your weakness\Nwill make it hard for us to see,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:41.58,0:09:43.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,let alone nurture, your talent.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:45.45,0:09:47.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We all know kids like this as well.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:47.99,0:09:52.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Like the kid who's gifted in science\Nbut who is a below average reader.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:53.96,0:09:55.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because our science textbooks\N
Dialogue: 0,0:09:56.46,0:09:58.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,assume that every kid\Nis reading at grade level,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:59.76,0:10:00.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this kid's in trouble.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:02.13,0:10:03.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because for her,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:03.69,0:10:06.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,science class is first\Nand foremost a reading test.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:08.73,0:10:13.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it's doubtful that we will ever see\Nwhat she's truly capable of.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:15.27,0:10:19.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, it's one thing when our technology
Dialogue: 0,0:10:19.35,0:10:22.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,does not allow us to do anything\Nother than average.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:23.62,0:10:25.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it is a whole other thing
Dialogue: 0,0:10:26.21,0:10:29.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when the technology changes\Nand we can do more,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:29.99,0:10:31.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but we don't realize it.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:32.74,0:10:34.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's where we are today.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:35.68,0:10:39.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the last few years, education,\Njust like the rest of society,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:39.96,0:10:41.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has gone digital.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:42.34,0:10:44.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you don't believe me,\Njust consider this fact:
Dialogue: 0,0:10:45.28,0:10:49.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,U.S. public schools are one of the largest\Nbuyers of iPads in the world.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:50.32,0:10:54.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Right? So, the question isn't\Ndo you want the technology?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:54.86,0:10:57.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's already here.\NYou've already paid for it.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:57.96,0:11:00.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The question is:\Nwhat do you want it to be?
Dialogue: 0,0:11:02.34,0:11:04.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And this is where it really gets exciting.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:06.31,0:11:07.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We have a chance, right now,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:09.62,0:11:12.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to use this technology\Nto create learning environments
Dialogue: 0,0:11:12.98,0:11:14.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that are so flexible
Dialogue: 0,0:11:14.88,0:11:19.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that they truly can nurture the potential\Nof every single individual.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:20.51,0:11:23.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, you might think\Nthat sounds expensive, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:11:23.67,0:11:24.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Doesn't have to be.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:25.77,0:11:27.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, we can get a long way,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:28.36,0:11:32.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we can make great strides\Nwith simple solutions
Dialogue: 0,0:11:33.36,0:11:35.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we take for granted\Nin our everyday digital lives.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:36.24,0:11:37.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Here I am thinking about basic stuff
Dialogue: 0,0:11:37.96,0:11:41.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like language translation,\Nsupport for reading, vocabulary,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:41.72,0:11:45.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you know, even the ability of a machine\Nto pronounce a word for you,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:45.84,0:11:47.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or read a passage if you want.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:47.83,0:11:49.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Basic stuff.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:50.20,0:11:52.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But while these are simple solutions,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:52.75,0:11:53.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you'll be surprised
Dialogue: 0,0:11:53.99,0:11:58.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at how big of an impact they actually have\Non the lives of individuals.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:59.22,0:12:02.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I know I was, the first time\Nthat I saw it happen.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:03.99,0:12:06.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was observing a fourth-grade classroom
Dialogue: 0,0:12:06.87,0:12:08.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a few years ago,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:08.65,0:12:10.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they were participating in a study
Dialogue: 0,0:12:10.79,0:12:14.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where we were testing the effectiveness\Nof a new digital science curriculum.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:15.10,0:12:16.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, I'll be the first to say
Dialogue: 0,0:12:17.32,0:12:19.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this new digital version wasn't fancy.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:20.20,0:12:21.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, it was pretty basic.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:23.42,0:12:25.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The thing that it had going for it though,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:26.07,0:12:28.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was that it did not assume
Dialogue: 0,0:12:28.06,0:12:31.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that every student in that classroom\Nwas reading at grade level.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:33.33,0:12:36.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, one of my favorite things\Nabout this particular classroom
Dialogue: 0,0:12:36.60,0:12:37.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was the teacher.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:38.33,0:12:40.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because she hated technology.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:40.34,0:12:41.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I know this
Dialogue: 0,0:12:41.80,0:12:44.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because it's the first thing\Nthat she told me when I met her.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:45.33,0:12:46.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And my response was,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:47.34,0:12:51.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"OK, why did you sign up for a study\Nthat's about technology?"
Dialogue: 0,0:12:54.24,0:12:55.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She told me
Dialogue: 0,0:12:55.88,0:12:57.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,she was willing to go through this
Dialogue: 0,0:12:58.09,0:13:01.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the hopes that it might help\None kid in her class.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:02.91,0:13:04.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,His name was Billy.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:05.29,0:13:09.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And Billy, as she told me,\Nhad a mind for science.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:10.38,0:13:13.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But he was one of those kids\Nwho was a below average reader.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:15.48,0:13:17.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And she was hoping this\Nmight reach him now
Dialogue: 0,0:13:17.67,0:13:19.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,while he's still learning to read.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:20.99,0:13:23.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, I have to say,\Nthat actually made me nervous.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:23.76,0:13:26.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because as I said,\Nthe technology was pretty basic.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:27.93,0:13:29.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I didn't want to disappoint her.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:30.23,0:13:31.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, you can imagine\N
Dialogue: 0,0:13:32.49,0:13:35.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how pleasantly surprised I was\Nabout halfway through the study,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:37.26,0:13:39.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the teacher reaches out to say,\N"Hey, guess what?"
Dialogue: 0,0:13:39.99,0:13:42.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Not only has Billy taken to the technology
Dialogue: 0,0:13:43.56,0:13:46.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I'm starting to see\Nimprovement in his performance.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:47.63,0:13:48.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, that was nice.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:50.11,0:13:51.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But nothing,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:51.90,0:13:54.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,nothing prepared me for what I saw
Dialogue: 0,0:13:54.37,0:13:57.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when I went back to that classroom\Nat the end of the study.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:59.84,0:14:02.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Billy had become the de facto\Nsmartest kid in the class.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:03.68,0:14:04.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No kidding.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:04.99,0:14:06.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And everybody knew it.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:06.98,0:14:10.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, the first thing that I saw\Nwhen I walked through the door
Dialogue: 0,0:14:10.52,0:14:14.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was six or seven kids\Nhuddled around Billy's desk
Dialogue: 0,0:14:15.20,0:14:17.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,asking him questions about the assignment.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:18.22,0:14:19.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And boy did he have answers,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:19.78,0:14:20.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it turns out.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:21.51,0:14:26.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The thing is, all we really gave Billy\Nand his classmates
Dialogue: 0,0:14:27.80,0:14:30.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was the learning equivalent\Nof adjustable seats.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:31.74,0:14:32.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And in return,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:33.19,0:14:35.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we got a glimpse of Billy's talent.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:36.32,0:14:40.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And sure, you might say, "Well, look，\Nthat's one kid in one classroom,"
Dialogue: 0,0:14:41.34,0:14:42.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but then again,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:42.34,0:14:44.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that's one kid in one classroom.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:44.81,0:14:47.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And isn't that what it's actually about?
Dialogue: 0,0:14:47.61,0:14:49.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Nurturing individual potential.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:51.100,0:14:56.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Jonas Salk was one individual\Nand he cured polio.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:58.23,0:15:00.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What if Billy is the next Jonas Salk?
Dialogue: 0,0:15:02.08,0:15:04.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What if the cure for cancer\Nis in his mind?
Dialogue: 0,0:15:05.64,0:15:06.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Who knows?
Dialogue: 0,0:15:07.59,0:15:11.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I do know that we came\Ndangerously close to losing his talent
Dialogue: 0,0:15:11.49,0:15:13.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,before he even left grade school.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:14.05,0:15:16.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Not because he didn't understand science,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:16.97,0:15:19.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but because he was still learning to read.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:20.28,0:15:21.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that's what I mean
Dialogue: 0,0:15:21.35,0:15:25.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when I say that simple solutions\Ncan have a profound impact on individuals.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:26.25,0:15:28.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, the real question to me
Dialogue: 0,0:15:28.12,0:15:31.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is how do we get these\Nadjustable seats for learning
Dialogue: 0,0:15:31.65,0:15:35.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the hands of every student\Nas fast as possible
Dialogue: 0,0:15:35.69,0:15:37.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without spending more money?
Dialogue: 0,0:15:38.58,0:15:42.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Here, I actually think the Air Force\Nhas given us the formula for success.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:44.87,0:15:47.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What if we ban the average in education?
Dialogue: 0,0:15:48.28,0:15:50.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We know it destroys talent.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:51.67,0:15:55.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Instead, what if we demanded\Nthat the companies
Dialogue: 0,0:15:55.08,0:15:57.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that sell these materials\Ninto our classrooms
Dialogue: 0,0:15:58.70,0:16:01.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,design them not to the average\Nof dimensions of learning
Dialogue: 0,0:16:01.89,0:16:03.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but to the edges?
Dialogue: 0,0:16:04.27,0:16:06.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It would be a bold move.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:06.14,0:16:09.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It would certainly send\Na strong signal to the market:
Dialogue: 0,0:16:09.78,0:16:11.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the game's changed.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:12.12,0:16:13.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But trust me,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:13.63,0:16:14.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if we do this,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:16.01,0:16:19.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not only will we increase the performance\Nof the kids in our classrooms today,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:20.47,0:16:23.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we will dramatically\Nexpand our talent pool.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:23.61,0:16:24.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because right now
Dialogue: 0,0:16:24.75,0:16:27.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there are so many students\Nwe simply cannot reach
Dialogue: 0,0:16:28.27,0:16:30.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because we design on average.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:31.72,0:16:33.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Design to the edges\Nand we will reach them,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:34.50,0:16:36.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we'll get their talent.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:37.47,0:16:38.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I have to say I know,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:38.78,0:16:40.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because I was one of those students.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:41.47,0:16:44.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So today, I'm a faculty member at Harvard.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:46.39,0:16:48.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I'm also a high school dropout.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:49.53,0:16:50.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It gets better.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:50.54,0:16:54.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was a high school\Ndropout with a 0.9 GPA.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:54.12,0:16:55.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:16:55.27,0:16:57.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For those of you who don't know,\Nthat's pretty bad.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:57.72,0:16:59.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:17:01.02,0:17:02.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But here's the thing.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:03.39,0:17:06.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I've been to the very bottom\Nof our educational system
Dialogue: 0,0:17:08.17,0:17:09.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I've been to the very top.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:10.27,0:17:11.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm here to tell you
Dialogue: 0,0:17:11.24,0:17:15.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we are wasting so much talent\Nat every single level.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:17.28,0:17:18.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the thing is,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:18.34,0:17:20.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because for every one person like me
Dialogue: 0,0:17:21.24,0:17:26.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there are millions who worked as hard,\Nwho had the ability,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:27.30,0:17:28.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but who were unable to overcome
Dialogue: 0,0:17:28.99,0:17:32.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the drag of an educational environment\Ndesigned on average.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:33.19,0:17:35.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And their talent is forever lost to us.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:36.90,0:17:38.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The thing is
Dialogue: 0,0:17:38.16,0:17:40.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we can't really afford to lose them.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:41.46,0:17:42.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The good news is
Dialogue: 0,0:17:42.51,0:17:44.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we don't have to anymore.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:45.85,0:17:49.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm telling you we have\Na once in a lifetime chance, right now,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:50.86,0:17:53.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to fundamentally re-imagine\Nthe very foundation
Dialogue: 0,0:17:54.22,0:17:55.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of our institutions of opportunity
Dialogue: 0,0:17:55.87,0:17:57.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like education,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:57.17,0:18:00.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in ways that nurture the potential\Nof every single individual;
Dialogue: 0,0:18:01.18,0:18:03.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,therefore, expand our talent pool,
Dialogue: 0,0:18:03.01,0:18:05.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,make us far more competitive in the world.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:06.70,0:18:08.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We can do this.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:08.88,0:18:10.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We know the formula.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:10.47,0:18:12.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it's time we demand it.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:12.06,0:18:13.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:13.10,0:18:16.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)